Page 9 of Donovan

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A couple of nights spent together weren’t enough to convey what I really felt. Declan didn’t do relationships.

And like a fool, I had told him I was fine with just being friends with benefits. That I didn’t need anything more.

But that was a bald-faced lie.

I shook my head. "I’m fine."

Kit's smile faltered for just a second, but he nodded, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets.

"Alright, but if you change your mind, you have my number. I’m a good listener,” he said, voice light, like it didn’t bother him. But I saw the flicker of hurt in his eyes before he turned away.

I didn’t ponder on it.

I had too many other things on my mind.

By the time I reached my room, my body ached. I was battered, bloodied and exhausted, but I barely noticed. The second the door shut behind me, I pulled out my phone.

Still nothing.

No calls. No messages.

I swiped through my contacts, hovered over Declan’s name. My thumb twitched, debating whether to call.

Then I scrolled down to Asher.

I hesitated.

Screw Asher.

Screw both my brothers.

Finn and Asher both went off the deep end, choosing their vampire lovers over the Guild, over me. Over family. And they did it by choice.

They left me here.

Alone.

I clenched my jaw, shoving the thought away. I didn’t have the energy to deal with them right now.

But Declan…

Why wasn’t Declan contacting me?

I kept imagining worst-case scenarios.

What if the mission went wrong?

What if he was dead in a ditch somewhere, bleeding out, and I was just sitting here, waiting for a call that would never come?

I dragged a hand down my face, my pulse hammering against my skull.

Dang it.

What would Declan do in a situation like this?

He’d probably wait it out a little longer, weigh his options, think through the possibilities before making a move.

Maybe his cellphone didn’t have any reception. Perhaps he ran into an unexpected problem but came out of it unscathed. He always did.

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